In 2010, Lewis was sentenced to serve prison time, ending years of legal problems that led to being fired as a city patrolman. As part of a plea deal, Lewis was sentenced to two one-year terms after he admitted drunken driving and computer tampering.

The punishment ran concurrently with a 16-month sentence in federal court for his conviction of having a fallen comrade's gun in 2009 when he was prohibited from doing so by a domestic-violence-related order of protection. A judge also ordered Lewis to undergo mental health counseling, refrain from consuming alcohol after his release and pay for all the costs associated with the treatment.

Lewis had about 16 years on the force when he was fired in 2010 after then-Mayor Brian U. Stratton accepted an independent hearing officer's recommendation to terminate him.

It was the second time the city had let him go.

His battles with the department date back to 1998, when an arbitrator reversed his firing over his use of a racial slur at the police station.

Schenectady Police Chief Brian Kilcullen said Thursday that the department was saddened to learn of Lewis' death.

"Not withstanding Mr. Lewis' problems with the police department, for anyone to pass away at such a young age is tragic," Kilcullen said.

"It's just an unfortunate set of circumstances," said Chaires, who ran the department when Lewis was terminated.

Retired Schenectady Police Officer Jeffrey Curtis recounted serving as the field training officer when Lewis first came on the police force and then later working together with him on the department's tactical unit.

Curtis, who in 2007 served four years in prison for stealing drugs from an evidence locker to feed his addiction, said he tried to help Lewis.

"It's similar to me, where I had my demons and was able to get help, I don't believe he identified his," added Curtis. "He was a nice guy who was seeking direction and I'm not sure he ever got it." Curtis said he last saw Lewis at the wake for Lewis' mother a few weeks ago.

"He was a good friend, a good man, and a good police officer," Curtis said.

On Thursday, Lewis' attorney, Michael Horan, said he was shocked to learn about Lewis' death from a reporter.

The attorney said he had a brief conversation with Lewis when they ran into each other about a month ago.

"It's tragic that his personal life and career took such a terrible turn," Horan said. "He made some bad choices but was a good cop in many ways."